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Utah/Arizona ATV Club wins national award for bridge

The UT/AZ ATV Club was chosen for a national honor for the new bridge that crosses Kanab Creek on the trail from Kanab to Hog Canyon. Photo by Mel Harrison.

The UT/AZ ATV Club was chosen for a national honor for the new bridge that crosses Kanab Creek on the trail from Kanab to Hog Canyon. Photo by Mel Harrison.

The UT/AZ ATV Club received notification of winning the national award for the use of Recreational Trails funds for its 2015 Kanab Creek bridge project!

The following notification was received on May 11, 2016:

“I am delighted to inform you that the Coalition for Recreational Trails has chosen the Kanab Creek OHV Bridge Project as the winner of the CRT’s Annual Achievement Award for outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program funds in the Construction and Design category. Congratulations!

“The award will be presented on June 8 in Washington, D.C., at a special awards ceremony on Capitol Hill. At your earliest convenience, please let us know who will be accepting the award. Congrats again!” wrote Duane Taylor, Chairman Awards Committee Coalition of Recre-

ational Trails.

The idea for the bridge was to address safety issues and improve accessibility to the Hog Canyon Trail System. The metal span, measuring 60 feet long and 60 inches wide, provides ATV enthusiasts a way to cross Kanab Creek at the reservoir across from the Hog Canyon Trail system entrance. This will provide a safer route for riders traveling from Kanab to the trail system. (The old way along heavily traveled Highway 89 was dangerous!)

“We looked at a couple of options and focused above the dam because jeep and ATVs couldn’t go across because of the lake being too deep,” said Trails Committee member Tony Wright. “We tossed around ideas, and thought the bridge would be the answer. We contacted the State of Utah and the Army Corps of Engineers.”

The Utah/Arizona ATV Club is known for their hard work and community-minded projects. In fact, the Hog Canyon Trail System came about due to concerned citizens, club members and the BLM working together to give ATV riders a good, safe riding experience near Kanab. The well-signed trail system is a visual treat and an exciting ATV ride. The new bridge will make that system even more accessible to riders.

Wright said it took a number of people coming together to bridge the gap.

Wright added, after finding out what needed to be done legally to get the bridge project started, they also needed to find funding for it! This is where Chris Haller with Utah Parks came in. “With every ATV license and registration, part of the money is designated for Utah trails. This project fit the requirements. He called and said they’d be able to help us!”

The ATV club then contacted Page Steel, and explained what they were thinking of. Doug and Howdy at Page Steel said they would help! They had material for a bridge beam. “They were so great to work with,” said Wright. “They gave us a great deal! They donated a lot, both steel and manpower. They took an old highway bridge beam and flipped it, then adapted it to make the ATV bridge.”

Wright said TC Engineering did the required engineering work at a reduced cost. Kim Bistline of Fredonia built the footings, and Connor Landscaping helped out as well. Nick Ramsay offered the use of his big forklift, and local law enforcement did traffic control while the bridge was being carried across the highway.

“I think it’ll prove to be a very beneficial addition to Kanab,” said Wright, in closing. “We hope that it’ll be a great asset to the community, and we’d like to thank everyone who helped!”

“The selection of this project, and prestigious award brings credit to the hard work of Tony Wright and Ray Wells, as well as all of the other club members who supported and worked along side of them,” wrote retiring Kane County Director of Tourism Ken Gotzenberg, concerning the award. “This also brings a positive recognition to Kanab, Kane County, the Travel Council and the Kanab Office of the BLM, for their support and assistance in this endeavor.”

Club Vice-President Randy Merrell will accept the award in Washington. Congratulations to the Utah/Arizona ATV Club!